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Part of the book series: Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation ((RESULTS,volume 61))

Abstract

In the majority of animals, the oocyte/egg is structurally, molecularly, and functionally asymmetric. Such asymmetry is a prerequisite for a flawless fertilization and faithful segregation of maternal determinants during subsequent embryonic development. The oocyte asymmetry develops during oogenesis and must be maintained during consecutive and obligatorily asymmetric oogonial divisions, which depending on the species lead to the formation of either oocyte alone or oocyte and nurse cell complex. In the following chapter, we summarize current knowledge on the asymmetric oogonial divisions in invertebrate (insects) and vertebrate (Xenopus) species.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Ms. E. Kisiel for excellent drawings and help with the figures.

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Correspondence to Szczepan M. Bilinski or Malgorzata Kloc .

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Bilinski, S.M., Kubiak, J.Z., Kloc, M. (2017). Asymmetric Divisions in Oogenesis. In: Tassan, JP., Kubiak, J. (eds) Asymmetric Cell Division in Development, Differentiation and Cancer. Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation, vol 61. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53150-2_9

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